On secondment and want to return to my old job

[Luluco]

I’ve literally just started a secondment which is due to finish at the end of the year(however I think it may end up being permanent)

It’s ended up being something completely different to what I expected and it’s just not for me at all. I really don’t want to stay but would feel bad asking if I can return to my old post so quickly. They have replaced me with a temp. I’ve already started looking for other roles externally as I can’t imagine staying here until December.

Should I be honest and say it’s not for me and let them re advertise of just stick it out until I get something else.

it does depend on your company. I work for a large corporation and have done many secondments- I have left 2 of them within 3 months of starting them as they were not what I was told they were. I think you need to give it min 3 months to show that you have tried to adapt but it was not working hat was sold to you. Anything less and it will seem like a cop out. Luckily in my company secondments are covered by short term contracts so I was able to return to my previous role (albeit after another 3 months)

Can you raise it with your old manager and see what the options might be?

I left a 12 months secondment early but I lasted 6 months before trying to find options to leave.

Did they replace you for the duration of the secondment? That would make it harder to go back quickly. It depends on the reasons why you want to return early.

I would give it longer but it’s become clear since starting that the job is likely to be advertised as permanent soon and I would be expected to apply. I really don’t want to.

I will try and stick it out for at least three months. I think they will advertise the post as a permanent role within that time and I wouldn’t want to apply so I would have to move back to my old role anyway.